Green Bean Puree Baby Food Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.My green bean puree baby food recipe has a smooth, creamy texture, ideal for 6-month-old babies! It’s the perfect baby starter food that’s full of healthy nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and takes just 15 minutes to prepare using a package of green beans and water.
So for the record, my kids weren’t huge fans of green bean puree when I first introduced them to it. They’d gag, cough, make faces, and look at my plate with roasted green beans and potatoes as to say, I want that instead!
Eventually though, they started liking it, and now that they’re big kids, they still enjoy a healthy green bean casserole for dinner. Baby food purees are simply veggies blended to get them used to food, and this green bean puree helps them to enjoy less sweet flavors before trying other flavors such as sweet potato or butternut squash.
Latest Recipe Video!
👩🏽🍳 Why I Love This Recipe
It’s so adorable watching babies try their first foods! Their cute little faces tasting each spoonful with curiosity and wonder is so amusing. My two kids sat there with open mouths waiting to discover what flavor was coming, since I used to make a variety from simple vegetables. And that’s the beauty of baby food purees. You only need to boil, bake, or steam a vegetable and blend it with water or milk to make a delicious puree. It’s such a simple task for moms that saves time and money.
This green bean baby puree recipe is a great first food for babies, packed with vitamins and fiber, and it’s so easy to prepare. All I do is steam a package of frozen green beans until tender and blend them with a touch of water until smooth and creamy, then pour the puree into ice cube trays and freeze them. Freezing purees in ice cube trays is a simple mom hack that I used until my kids were old enough to eat whole foods. Perfect-sized portions, quickly reheated, and served in minutes.
Though the first time my kids tried this green bean puree, they didn’t enjoy it, my friend’s baby, however, who also tried this puree, loved it. My trick was to mix it with whole milk organic yogurt. It sounds gross, but for some reason, they loved it! Plus, making this puree recipe provided me with enough puree for roughly 12 servings, which saved me money on grocery store puree jars and my precious time. So give the nutrient-rich green bean puree a go. It only takes 15 minutes and is the perfect first food for babies.
🥘 Ingredients
I make this green baby puree with one ingredient. Yes, that is right! Ha.
Frozen Green Beans: I recommend using 2 bags of organic green beans for less prep and easier clean-up. You can also use organic fresh green beans, known as French beans or string beans, at the grocery store. Learn how to cook fresh green beans perfectly.
Cold Water: A touch of water helps to thin out the puree to make it easy for the baby to eat.
🔪 How To Make
It only takes 15 minutes to prepare enough puree to last a week. Here’s how I do it.
Cook Green Beans and Add To Blender: I place the green beans in a steamer and cook at medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Then, I drain the tender green beans and place them in a blender with a little water. The more water you use, the thinner your puree will be. I recommend a couple of tablespoons of water to start with; you can always add more if needed.
Puree and Store: Then, I puree the green beans until smooth and pour the puree into ice cube trays. To freeze them, I let them cool first before wrapping the trays with plastic wrap and freezing.
Thaw and Serve: When I want to serve them, I thaw a tray in the fridge overnight, or thaw by putting the ice cube in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost. Serve at room temperature.
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for making Green Bean Puree Baby Food is to blend the green beans long enough so the puree comes out completely smooth. I learned this when my little one was starting solids, because a chunky texture made it harder for them to eat and enjoy. I always let the blender run a little longer, stopping once or twice to scrape the sides, until it looks silky and creamy.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Frozen green beans: I often use frozen green beans because it saves me time in the kitchen. They still make a smooth and tasty puree for my baby.
- Organic green beans: I like to choose organic green beans so my baby is not exposed to extra pesticides. It gives me peace of mind when making homemade baby food.
- Water for blending: I never use the same water I steamed the beans in, instead I use filtered water. If I boil the beans, I use that water for blending since it holds some of the nutrients.
- Thawing baby food: When I need frozen cubes, I move them to the fridge the night before so they are ready the next day. If I am rushed, I microwave them in short bursts but I always check carefully so they are not too hot.
- Introducing new foods: I only introduce one new food every two days to watch how my baby reacts. This helps me spot any allergies before trying something new.
📖 Variations
If you want to mix up the flavor to get your babies to enjoy this nutrient-rich green bean puree, here a few of my favorite variations.
Add Other Greens: To boost the nutrients, I used to blend the green beans with a handful of cooked spinach or broccoli florets. The flavor will be more intense, but my kids liked the different flavors, rather than just pureed green beans.
Add Healthy Fats: For a creamier puree, add in half an avocado to the puree to increase healthy fats.
Add Breastmilk or Baby Formula: It’s totally fine to mix this green bean baby food with formula or breastmilk immediately before serving. My kids used to love this variation. But do not add formula or breastmilk to the puree before freezing it, since formula or breastmilk can’t be frozen. If you choose formula, I recommend using one of these best organic baby formulas for the cleanest ingredients, and a close formulation to breastmilk.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
If you want to give your little one something extra with their meal or for a tasty dessert, I have some delicious, easy puree recipes that your little one will fall in love with.
Pairing options: The first puree I gave my kids was this butternut squash puree. They loved it so much that I paired it with green bean puree to give them a contrast of sweet and earthy flavors. Another favorite was a savory and sweet zucchini baby food puree, made with carrot and apple.
Dessert options: Even at 6 months old, my kids used to sit there with their mouths open. They waited in anticipation for something sweet after the first course. They loved nothing more than the sweet taste of simple pear baby food puree. Sometimes I made a delicious blueberry puree with a variety of fruits such as apples, bananas, and mangoes. It was slightly more expensive to make, but it was a treat they absolutely loved.
🧊 Storage Directions
Refrigeration: I let the puree cool, then transfer it to baby airtight containers, and chill them for 3-4 days.
Freezing: Once the puree has cooled, I pour the puree into ice cube trays / baby food trays, cover them with plastic wrap so they are airtight, and freeze them for up to 4 months.
Reheating: I let the cubes thaw in the fridge overnight before I intend to warm them up, or I put the small cubes in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost. You can also defrost them in the microwave on the defrost setting. It’s important to warm the puree to body temperature so it’s not too hot for the baby.
❓Recipe FAQs
What can I add to green bean puree for flavor?
If your baby is not a fan of green beans at first, don’t give up! Neither of my kids liked green beans the first few times I served them it. However, I stirred in a bit of whole milk yogurt to add more flavor and give it a creamy texture that they both enjoyed. You can also add breast milk or formula instead.
When can I start my baby on green bean puree?
I first started my babies during the first stage of introducing solids (around 6 months of age).
Do green beans cause constipation or gas in babies?
No. Foods that are higher in fiber and lower in starch (like green beans) can cause constipation in some children. This is typically because fiber, without enough water, can cause constipation. However, not all babies react the same way to the same foods. In my experience, when served with a sippy cup of water to drink, green beans did not cause gas or constipation. Although I recommend paying attention to how your baby reacts to each food you introduce them to, and adjust accordingly.
🥣 More Baby Food Recipes!
🎥 Watch How to Make It
Green Bean Puree: Baby Food Recipe
My green bean puree baby food recipe has a smooth, creamy texture, ideal for 6-month-old babies! It's the perfect baby starter food that's full of healthy nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and takes just 15 minutes to prepare using a package of green beans and water.
Servings: 32 ounces
Calories: 23kcal
Ingredients
- 32 oz bags organic frozen green beans 2 (16 oz) bags
- 6 oz Water for pureeing use as much as you need for the consistency you want! start with 6oz and work your way up.
Instructions
- Place the green beans in a steamer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until tender.
- Drain green beans and place in blender with water.
- Puree until smooth.
- Pour into ice cube trays, allow to cool, wrap/cover, and freeze.
- Thaw in the fridge the night before use, or thaw by putting the ice cube in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost.
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for making Green Bean Puree Baby Food is to blend the green beans long enough so the puree comes out completely smooth. I learned this when my little one was starting solids, because a chunky texture made it harder for them to eat and enjoy. I always let the blender run a little longer, stopping once or twice to scrape the sides, until it looks silky and creamy.
- Frozen green beans: I often use frozen green beans because it saves me time in the kitchen. They still make a smooth and tasty puree for my baby.
- Organic green beans: I like to choose organic green beans so my baby is not exposed to extra pesticides. It gives me peace of mind when making homemade baby food.
- Water for blending: I never use the same water I steamed the beans in, instead I use filtered water. If I boil the beans, I use that water for blending since it holds some of the nutrients.
- Thawing baby food: When I need frozen cubes, I move them to the fridge the night before so they are ready the next day. If I am rushed, I microwave them in short bursts but I always check carefully so they are not too hot.
- Introducing new foods: I only introduce one new food every two days to watch how my baby reacts. This helps me spot any allergies before trying something new.
Nutrition
Calories: 23kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 160mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 522IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
I was not expecting my baby to like it…but guess what, she ate it all. Thanks for the idea and such a clear and to follow write up.
Aw yay I’m so happy to hear that Meenakshi!
I always made my own babyfood when my kids were babies! So rewarding and delicious!
I know right?? It’s totally worth it!
I love how this keeps its bright green color. No additives and full of nutrients.
Totally!! It’s all natural and so easy to make at home!
I have shared this recipe with all my mom friends and they love it! I don’t have kiddos, but ran across this one and thought how awesome is it to skip the store and make at home!
Yay! So happy to hear that Jacque!
A million times better than the jarred stuff! Love how fresh and healthy it is.
Thanks so much Elizabeth!!
Hey! I’m wondering after you defrost a frozen purée in the fridge how do you warm it up?
Hi Kim! You can either warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave (in a glass, microwave safe container!)
I don’t have a microwave so this is what I do: I put the frozen baby food cubes in a small sealed Tupperware container to defrost in the fridge for around 12 hours. 10- 15 minutes before I feed baby I fill a bowl with hot water from the tap and place the small Tupperware in the bowl of hot water and it warms quickly without getting too hot.
That’s a great tip, thanks for sharing Caroline!
I’m concerned with my consistency, its a bit chunky. Am I doing something wrong or do I need to add something to it if I want it to be a smoother texture?
Hi Karen! I’d recommend just adding a bit more water and then really pulverizing it in your blender. If you cooked the beans down enough, and you have a good blender (and the mixture has enough water), they should puree really easily. Hope that helps!
Hi, you mention 1 cube is equal to 1oz of food. Can you share the suggested serving of food per feeding for a 7mo old baby? I’m unsure how much to serve my baby per feeding since she’s a big eater and I think I overfed her once and she threw up but I was only following her lead since she wanted to keep eating. Thanks!
Hi Clarissa! Typically at 7 months the guidance is to “follow your baby’s lead.” So 1 serving could be a couple licks of a puree all the way to 4oz of food in one sitting! It really depends on the baby. It sounds like your baby loves food, but maybe doesn’t quite know when to stop? So I would try starting her at 2-3oz of food in one sitting and then work up from there. Eventually, my kids were taking in about 6-8oz of food at each meal around 10 months of age if that helps, and they were also both big eaters!
Hey loving your baby food ideas.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Can a 5 months 3 weeks old baby eat green beans purée ?
Hi Angela! If your pediatrician has said it’s ok to start solids then yes, green beans should be appropriate as one of your baby’s first foods! Anywhere from 4-6 months is ok to start solids so as long as your baby is showing signs of readiness and your pediatrician approves, this recipe would work great!
Can you use fresh green beans? Is there any difference is cooking?
Yes you can! It should be a pretty similar cooking process actually since both frozen and fresh green beans are raw to start 🙂 Hope that helps!
Do you have to defrost the green beans before steaming?
Hi Jess! Nope – you don’t have to – you can steam them right from them being frozen. Hope your little one likes this recipe!
Hi Anjali! I’m absolutely loving your site and getting some great ideas for recipes that I plan to make for my little one (FTM here so anxious/excited about trying new foods!) I noticed you mix several recipes with yogurt when feeding… did you give her plain yogurt first and see how she reacts before mixing it with other foods? After what age can you give a baby yogurt? I’ve been trying the 3 days per ingredient at a time but I feel like I’m pretty behind in introducing new foods to her! Thanks again for such great recipes and suggestions!
Hi Zina! Thanks so much for reaching out – I’m so glad my blog has been helpful for you! 🙂 To your question – yes I tried plain, organic, whole milk yogurt first before mixing it with purees. My pediatrician said that we could introduce yogurt at 6 months! So as long as your pediatrician is ok with it, you should be able to introduce yogurt anytime after 6 months. Just make sure it’s plain with no sugar added 🙂 Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
What yogurt do you use? I can’t find any with no sugar added. Thank you.
Hi Sandra! Plain, whole milk yogurt is the way to go. You might be getting confused because the nutrition label for plain, whole milk yogurt will still show sugar — but that’s the naturally occurring lactose in yogurt and isn’t the same as added sugars (e.g. in flavored yogurts). So as long as your yogurt is labeled as “plain” and/or “unflavored”, and doesn’t have any type of sugar listed on the ingredients label, you can be sure that the sugar content on the nutrition label is just lactose, and not added sugar. Hope that helps!
Hello, thanks for sharing! My daughter is about to start solids few weeks from now. One question tho, how long can I keep a puree in the freezer?
Hi! No problem at all! You can keep the purees in the freezer for up to 6 months (as long as they are not mixed with breastmilk before they are frozen!) We used our purees a lot faster than that, but 6 months is the limit 🙂 Let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi! Can i add breast milk to the green bean puree? What kind of yogurt is safe for the baby?
Hi Sam! Yes you can add breastmilk to the puree after you have thawed it — you add the breastmilk right before you serve the puree to your little one. You can use any plain, whole milk yogurt for your baby! Just make sure it’s plain (not flavored) and whole milk (not low fat or nonfat). Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!